NPL Victoria champion Avondale joins forces with worldwide football giant

NPL Victoria champion and premier Avondale is joining forces with one of world football’s biggest leagues as it prepares for the National Second Division.

Avondale lifts the NPL Victoria premiership cup. Picture: Mark Avellino

NPL Victoria champion and premier Avondale is joining forces with one of world football’s biggest leagues.

The Avengers have entered a partnership with LaLiga, the Spanish giant which runs the world’s second biggest league.

The announcement comes after Avondale was accepted as an inaugural member of the proposed National Second Division, which will kick off in 2025.

The memorandum of understanding will see the club and LaLiga collaborate on growing football participation and improving youth development pathways.

It’s the latest in a number of football partnerships, following Liverpool making Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College the home of its international academy.

Avondale’s Ayden Brice has a word with referee Michael Mammis. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Manchester City’s academy is based at Parade College in Bundoora.

Avondale president Anthony Wardan said the partnership would help grow the game.

“Following a historic season and recently being announced as a National Second Tier foundation club, we are extremely pleased to add to our growth with a new partnership with LaLiga,” Wardan said in a joint statement.

“LaLiga’s unparalleled expertise will assist to enhance our capabilities, nurture talent, and contribute to the vibrant growth of football in Australia.

“Together, we will embark on shaping the future of the game we love and reinforcing Avondale FC’s position as a beacon of football excellence.”

LaLiga organises professional and national football in Spain, home to the likes of Barcelona and Read Madrid, but has links in 41 countries.

The Spanish top-flight is currently ranked by UEFA as the second best league in Europe, behind only England’s Premier League.

Ivan Codina, LaLiga managing director for South-East Asia, Japan, South Korea and Australia, hoped it would elevate Australian football.

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“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with Avondale FC, to elevate football development at this crucial moment in their history in Australian professional football,” he said.

“This memorandum of understanding signifies our commitment to football development beyond Spanish barriers through knowledge sharing and collaboration with regional partners.”

Avondale, and fellow NPL Victoria clubs South Melbourne and Preston Lions, are three of eight clubs chosen to establish the National Second Division.

NPL NSW clubs Marconi, Sydney Olympic, APIA Leichardt, Sydney United and Wollongong Wolves were also chosen.